Thoughts on Faith

There are people in the world who have philosophized that the only thing a person can know for certainty, with 100% assurance they are not wrong, is the reality of their existence. " I think, therefor I am." They asserted that we cannot know anything else beyond this. Everything that we know could be doubted away to that point. If I am not wrong, I think they might say "we cannot know if we are not simply the figment of someone else's imagination.... our perception of reality might be totally skewed."

It is a very "smart" idea... In a way it is true. Now, this might sound strange at first, but I kind of like this idea. I think it shows how much faith is a real part of everything that we do. Everyone uses faith, everyday, all-day. It is part of us. If this idea is true, than everything we do is based on faith.... I say faith, but this is not the same kind of faith that we talk about in church. That "Faith", is Faith in Jesus Christ. I am still thinking about this, but I think that these two faiths might work in about the same way. If you need faith to do normal everyday things and to carry out all of the tasks that we do all day. I think in the same way, we need Faith to carry out spiritual things. If everyday faith motivates us to try and do good in our work and our human relationships, then it would make sense that Faith in Jesus Christ would leads us to be much better than we already are. And if faith was what it took to send a man to the moon, or to make iPads, imagine what a real and vital faith in Christ could do to the souls of God's children!

I know that God lives, Jesus Christ is the Atoning One, and that the Book of Mormon is true by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Love to all, Elder Bevan

This is me and my "brother" and my "dad". Elder Harvey will be "dying" soon. .... gooofy picture :) I like it.

This is of our last zone conference. There are actually almost two zones in this picture... President and Sister Gustafson are right up front middle. I love them.

Nagamine

Hey Everyone!

This week in Nagamine was awesome! Lots of small miracles. 

We visited a sister investigator and it was awesome! I think that the lord provided what was needed in the lesson by our various abilities. She explained that her husband and her kids were hesitant to come to church because they had not really had the chance to be around that sort of environment before, so we set up something where she could introduce us through English Class... by small and simple things! We will see how that goes. 

On Thursday we had Zone Conference and the Spirit was so powerful! We had a testimony meeting, more training on using Family history, and a training on the Sacrament. What a privilege it was to learn and talk of the Savior and His work! During the testimony meeting I was touched by the testimonies of the Elders and Sisters who will be leaving the mission soon. I determined to think more about the people I am serving, and about the God that I am serving, than about myself.  

I LOVE THIS MISSION! I would not trade even the worst day here for a day home, not even close. 

On Saturday we met a young man (probably early twenties) who let us in his apartment to talk. It was pretty apparent he had a little bit of a mental disability, but he was kind and really innocent. We asked him if there was anything he would like to ask God in prayer, and after taking a moment, and looking a little shy, he said he would like to talk to Samurai. We all smiled. :) 

Sunday was awesome. In the morning the Ward had a special prayer to start off a forty day fast. The members put their names down on a calender to take their turn fasting for the Christmas party the ward will be having in December. We hope to see much good come of it. This week followed a Stake conference, so we did not have the chance to take the sacrament last week, and this also became fast Sunday. Heaven knows that I need the Sacrament. I was so ready to be cleaned of my faults. I was also able to bear my testimony, and was afterwords asked to give a talk next week. 

Yeah! That always makes me feel like the ward is beginning to trust me! I am so grateful for that chance! Also, we had a meeting with an awesome bishop about an open-house we are holding this week. What a great privilege it is to work with such great leaders!

I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the church of God on earth. I know that it has the keys of the Priesthood, the power and authority of God on the Earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, by the power of the Holy Ghost. I know anyone who will seek it out, will find out the same thing. I know that God loves us, and I know that Christ Lives.

Love to all! 

Elder Bevan

べバン長老   

ps.

I love my companions

Zone Conference

This week was really great. Thanks everyone for thinking about my Birthday you made it Great!

I think the thing that I want to tell you all about this week was Zone conference. The Mission President comes to all of the zones about once a month and does interviews, zone conference, or training. This week we got to see him come down and instruct us on effectiveness, unifying the mission and other such things. What He said was definitely meant for me. I had been praying to know what I could do to be more effective, and He talked directly on that. It was great! 

He also gave some time for missionaries to come up and give their testimonies and I was reminded how luck I am to be serving here. I love it! I love the mission!

That experience let me see a little bit of why I am working here and why I am working with President Gustafson. He such a great man! i am so glad I can work with Him!

love you all,

Elder Bevan

Transfers and Things

Well today has been kinda hectic. We got transfer calls today and I will be getting a Nehonjin (Japanese) Companion! His name is Oshima. I will be staying in Nagasaki and Harvey Choro is becoming zone leader of Kumamoto Zone. My new companion will be Zone leader with Malcolm Choro... That means that when they go off and do Zone Leader things I will be working with Malcolm Choro's new companion. He happens to be a brand-new missionary from China.... 

It should all be fun. I'm looking forward to the next six weeks. 

The past week has been good too. Having Malcolm Choro as our companion changed a lot. Our focus shifted on certain things and it changed the dynamics of our companionship a lot. I learned a lot about the things that I need to work on, and what I would like to be better at. I think those lessons are probably what I needed for this upcoming change in the district, and getting my new companion. I hope that I will be able to continually learn and apply these kinds of lessons for the rest of my time here. 

I will miss Harvey Choro. He has been a great friend and support to me, and especially in these past few weeks I have realized just how invaluable He is. He will do fantastic in his role as a Zone leader and I am sure that He will bless many more lives as he serves. I hope that I can become the missionary that I need to be to follow his example of loving service, and ultimately the Savior's example. One of my friends wrote me recently and bore testimony of the reality of the Saviors life. Of that, I also would like to bear testimony. I know that the Savior's sacrifice has effect on us, and that it is real. I know that Heavenly  Father hears our prayers, and that this is His Church once again established on the earth. I love Him.

My love to all,

Elder Bevan 

  My tricompanionship:  Bevan Choro, Malcolm Choro, and Harvey Choro

                                   

The District

Zone Conference

My Second Tripanionship!

Well this week began began with zone conference on Monday, and proceeded form there with oddities. Tuesday was p-day. On Thursday our zone leader got a call from the mission president calling him as the new AP. On Saturday he left and the other zone leader became my second companion. The new AP's name is Elder Coelho and my new companion is named Elder Malcolm. We a lived in the same apartment before now, so it isn't like this is extremely weird but it is definitely different.

On Saturday, after Elder Coelho left, we had the chance to go hiking to the top of a Nagasaki mountain. it was a great experience and we got to be with two new converts and two investigators. On the way back out of the mountain we passed by a Shinto temple. I felt like I was in some sort of Zelda Game or something. It really was perfect. All around us was covered in green and everything was quiet. The entrance was cut through a rise in the ground and the walls were covered in moss and greenery. 

As we passed through, the elders quorum president talked a little bit about the similarities between Shinto religion and Christianity. That was king of interesting too. 

Sunday was crazy too. We came to the church at eight thirty and practiced a musical number that the Nagasaki Missionaries, had ward mission coordination meeting for an hour, then taught priesthood, then stayed with our investigators throughout Sunday school and then went to Sacrament meeting. In sacrament meeting I had the chance to speak. I did not do so great because of the language and because I didn't have a lot of time to prepare, but I did my best and It inspired me to work harder at the language. For the rest of the meeting I tried to repeat in a whisper everything that was said and realized just how hard it was to do. I understand a lot more than I can say, but I'm glad that I can at least understand the little that I do. I really am blessed. 

I guess the final thing I want to write is about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the foundation of all that we have, and all that we, as members, do. Without the Atonement the restoration is not important. Temples, families, and service are useless. Without the atonement of Christ we are are nothing. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is true and real. I have seen it at work in my life. I am grateful for it.

my love to all

Elder Bevan

Elder Malcolm

Elder Harvey,...Elder Bevan